Does Congress act on our behalf?

Who are the real "takers"? Are they the indifferent, insensitive, arrogant congressmen and congresswomen (albeit with a few exceptions), or the people who sent them to Washington?

With our hard-earned tax money, we the people pay the members of Congress their full, generous salaries with perks, even if they work only two days a week and leave during a crisis. In fact, we allow them to give themselves substantial raises as they see fit. Our tax dollars also provide them with five-star health coverage as well as guaranteed retirement security regardless of their tenure or merit.

What do we the people receive in return for all the benefits our members of Congress accept as their entitlement? Our will is blatantly ignored; our voting rights are, in many instances, manipulated; we are called "takers" for daring to seek assistance from programs we have funded when we cannot manage on minimum wage regardless how many hours we work; we are viewed as indolent if we receive unemployment benefits when our jobs have been sent overseas and we cannot find work; we are considered to be unrealistic because we want Medicare and Social Security to be secure for our retirement years.

Clearly, many in Congress are not concerned about advocating for the public. Rather, they are adhering to their own agenda, which seems to have three components: ignore the people; defy the president; and pledge allegiance to those who have the deep pockets to re-elect them.

So, who are the real "takers"?

Clare Battisti

Hartsdale

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Does Congress act on our behalf?

Who are the real 'takers'? Are they the indifferent, insensitive, arrogant congressmen and congresswomen (albeit with a few exceptions), or the people who sent them to Washington?

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